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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 20, 2006) – On Friday students
and faculty from the Cornerstone Schools, located in Detroit, spent the day at
Michigan International Speedway where they received both a donation and a visit
from a surprise guest—NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne, winner of
last Sunday’s race. The donation to Cornerstone Schools was a collaborative
effort involving The NASCAR Foundation, the Kasey Kahne Foundation, Michigan
International Speedway and Wilsons Leather.
Cornerstone Schools and the Kasey Kahne Foundation are both
committed to positive cultural changes by focusing on diversity awareness and
giving underprivileged boys and girls ample opportunities for success.
"Through my partnership with Cornerstone Schools, I have seen
first-hand the positive atmosphere that these kids work in everyday," said
Kahne. "It’s important that these students receive a quality education to
prepare them for a bright future."
Cornerstone Schools provides underprivileged students with an
excellent education and life lessons through a support network of parents,
teachers and a strong community. Since its inception in 1991, Cornerstone has
seen its class size grow from 167 students the first year, to over 1,000
students today. Also, Cornerstone alumni have an average of 92 percent high
school graduation rate.
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Kasey Kahne poses for a photo after delivering a speech
to
children from Cornerstone Schools of Detroit and Lily Missions
of
Jackson on Friday at Michigan International Speedway.
(Photo Credit:
Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)
| "It’s the support of our community, NASCAR tracks and
charities, and corporations like Wilsons Leather that allows us to provide our
students with the opportunity to realize their greatest potential," said
Ernestine Sanders, president of Cornerstone Schools. "Our students learn in a
nurturing environment made possible by our friends and partners, and we are
honored to be the recipients of such a generous donation."
Michigan
International Speedway and Wilsons Leather are generous supporters of The NASCAR
Foundation’s initiatives through product donation for auctions, hosts of charity
events and monetary donations. Both MIS and Wilsons are active in community
outreach, supporting programs such as Cornerstone Schools building community
pride and providing the youth of today with the tools to do great things
tomorrow.
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